Apparatus and method for cleaning a shuttle on a loom

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for cleaning a shuttle on a loom wherein the shuttle moves along a path to successively insert individual weft threads into the sheds formed during the weaving operation, which comprises cleaning means located at a point along the path of the shuttle for effecting periodic cleaning of a zone of the shuttle that requires cleaning, each time the shuttle is at this location. A method of cleaning the shuttle is also disclosed.

United States Patent lnventors Edgar H. Strauss Ruti/ZH; Gerd Hugo Rabe, Tann-Ruti/ZH, both of,

Switzerland Appl. No. 855,097 Filed Sept. 4, 1969 Patented Sept. 14, 1971 Assignee Ruti Machinery Works, Ltd., formerly Caspar Honegger Ruti, Switzerland Priority Sept. 20, 1968 Switzerland 14153/68 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CLEANING A SHUTTLE ON A LOOM 17 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 139/12, 139/224 Int. Cl D03d 47/26 Field of Search 139/ l 2,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,871,889 2/1959 Schlosser [39/224 3,144,052 8/1964 Klock [39/224 3,263,705 8/1966 Rossmann 139/12 3,379,224 4/1968 Fend et al. 139/224 3,487,436 12/1969 Suaty et al. 139/125 Primary Examiner-Henry S. J audon AttorneyDonald D. Denton ABSTRACT: An apparatus for cleaning a shuttle on a loom wherein the shuttle moves along a path to successively insert individual weft threads into the sheds formed during the weaving operation, which comprises cleaning means located at a point along the path of the shuttle for effecting periodic cleaning of a zone of the shuttle that requires cleaning, each time the shuttle is at this location. A method of cleaning the shuttle is also disclosed.

PATENTED SEPM 1971 3,604,466

sum 2 0F 4 Fig. 2

Fly. 4

PATENTED SEP] 4 l97l 3 604,466

sum 3 0F 4 27 50 a9 50 i 1 K i K 2 Fig.7

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CLEANING A SHUTTLE ON A LOOM The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for cleaning shuttles on a loom and more particularly to an apparatus or arrangement on a loom for cleaning a shuttle or weft-inserting element that is movable along a path in the loom for the purpose of successively inserting individual weft threads into the sheds formed during the weaving operation of the loom.

When weaving with shuttles which carry spools or cops for the weft thread in their interior, cleaning of the shuttles during operation of the loom is only necessary in exceptional circumstances. On the other hand, it has been found that in weaving processes in which individual weft threads are passed to a shuttle having retaining means for releasably holding the thread and the thread is held thereby, even small amounts of dirt or other particles alter the conditions prevailing during insertion of the weft threads, and adversely affect the quality of the cloth produced. This can be prevented by frequent cleaning of the shuttles. The stoppages of the loom caused thereby, are, however, uneconomical.

Advantageously, this invention provides an apparatus and method for cleaning debris from such shuttles without any stoppages in the loom operation.

Thus, this invention contemplates an apparatus for cleaning a shuttle on a loom in which a cleaning means is provided at a point along the path of the shuttle for effecting. periodic cleaning of a zone of the shuttle that requires cleaning, each time the shuttle is positioned at this point.

In particular, this invention is directed to an apparatus for cleaning a shuttle on a loom wherein the shuttle is movable along a path in the loom for the purpose of successively inserting individual weft threads into the sheds formed during the weaving operation, the shuttle has retaining means for holding an individual weft thread during insertion into a shed and for releasing the thread when insertion is completed, and the shuttle is periodically charged with individual weft threads and then unloaded, which comprises cleaning means positioned at a point along the path of the shuttle for periodically cleaning an unloaded shuttle each time the unloaded shuttle is positioned at this point, the cleaning means cleaning a zone of the shuttle, adjacent to the retaining means, that tends to accumulate debris during the weaving operation.

In wave-type looms or multiphase weaving machines in which a plurality of shuttles simultaneously insert weft threads during the operation of the loom, cleaning of a thread-braking means within each shuttle is also of importance for achieving the uniform insertion of the weft threads. Moreover, because in this system of weaving, weft threads of predetermined length are passed to the shuttles and deposited usually in the form of a coil in the interiors thereof, fibers and other such debris material can continuously settle inside these shuttles. If this material remains on or within the shuttles, nodules of material are gradually formed which remain attached to the weft threads when they are drawn out of the shuttles and in this way are woven into the cloth. Advantageously this invention also avoids this drawback.

In addition, this invention is also concerned with a method of cleaning a shuttle on a loom wherein the shuttle moves along a path in the loom in order to successively insert individual weft threads into the sheds and the shuttle is periodically charged with an individual weft thread and then unloaded during the weaving operation, which comprises periodically cleaning a zone of the shuttle that tends to accumulate debris during the weaving operation each time the shuttle is unloaded and positioned at a particular point along its path through the loom.

The invention will be further understood by reference to several effective embodiments and to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a view showing a shuttle emerging from a wavet ype loom and the location of the cleaning apparatus of this invention as seen from the front inelevation;

used in the wave-type FIG. 3 is a cross section through the shuttle of FIG,. 2 take along line IIIIII;

FIG. 4 shows a plan view the cleaning device or means used in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a plan view of another embodiment of the cleaning means;

FIG. 6 is a cross section view of the cleaning means taken along line VIVI of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of yet another embodiment of the cleaning means;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of another embodiment of the cleaning apparatus of the invention used on a loom having a sley and employing a grip-type shuttle; and

FIG. 9 is a cross section view taken along line IX-lX of FIG. 8. FIG. 1 schematically shows the path of the shuttles or weft-inserting elements 18 on a multiphase weaving machine or a wave-type loom. In order to simplify understanding of the drawing, the warp threads 14 and the woven cloth 15 are shown only on the right-hand side of the figure. The warp threads 14 and the cloth 15 can extend to the 'dash-and-dot line 11. The conchoidal (i.e. shaped like a bivalve mollusk shell) shuttles 18 are each charged with a length of weft thread on the right-hand side of the loom (not illustrated), and are pushed by means of reed dents 13 through the changing sheds formed by the warp threads 14. Movement of the shuttles 18 is effected by the reed dents 13 executing movements in the direction of the double-headed arrow 16, these movements as a whole having an undulating character. The upwardly moving reed dents 13 thereby encounter the inclined rear edge 17 of each of the shuttles 18, so that the shuttles are moved to the left. During this movement a weft thread 12 is continuously drawn from each of the shuttles l8 and is inserted into the sheds. In this manner the shuttle is unloaded, i.e. freed of the weft thread. This thread is beaten up by the reed dents 13, when they reach their uppermost positions. The sheds are changed between two consecutive shuttles 18, the sheds also executing a wavelike movement. It will be understood that a shed opens in front of the shuttle and then closes after the shuttle has passed. The undulatory movement of the reed dents l3 and that of the sheds are synchronized with each other and take place at the same speed from right to left.

The emerging shuttles pass to the left into the discharge mechanism 19. This mechanism incorporates a slide 20 to which is imported an upwards and downwards movement by a crank drive (not illustrated), which actuates the thrust rod 22. The slide 20 contains a recess or slot 24 for accommodating one of the shuttles 18.

The reference numeral 27 designates a roller chain, which is driven and reversed by the chain wheel 28. The roller chain 27 is positively guided in the rail 25 as its rollers run inthe grooves 21. Drive pins 23 are fitted at equal distances apart on the chain 27. The shuttles 18 are guided in the return channel 26 for the purpose of moving them back to the right side of the loom to the loading mechanism.

Each time a shuttle 18 moves into the discharge mechanism 19, the slide 20 is in its bottom dead center position so that the shuttle 18 can be pushed into the recess 24 in the slide 20. When the shuttle 18 is pushed into the recess 24 over its entire length, the slide 20 moves upwards. In this upper position, one of the drive pins 23 engages the tip of the shuttle 18 and pushes it to the right. When the shuttle 18 has left, i.e. moved out of, the slide 20, the slide moves downwards to collect the next shuttle 18.

The construction of the shuttles 18 will be further explained by reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The shuttle 18, as illustrated, has a slot 30 in each of the sidewalls 38, 38 of an elongated shell-shaped body. A plate 31 of complementary form to that of the slot is inserted into each of the slots. A carrier 32 is secured to each of the plates 31. Each of the carriers 32 has a plush lining 33 secured thereto. The carriers 32 have inclined resilient portions 34, whereby both the ends 35 and the ends 36 of the two carriers are resiliently compressed within the interior of the shuttle. The ends 36 together form a brake means for the weft thread 12 running out of the shuttle 18 while the shuttle is moving to the left across the loom (see FIG. 1).

The piece of weft thread of predetermined length, which is placed within the interior of the shuttle or weft-inserting element 18 for the'purpose of inserting the thread into this associated shed, is held between the plush or bristle linings 33 which together with the carriers 32 form a retaining means for the thread. The two sidewalls 38, 38' of the conchoidal shuttle 18 are held or connected together by the spine or closed edge portion 39 and the reinforcements 60, which are located a both ends of the ,closed edge portion 39. The two sidewalls 38, 38' are not connected over the remaining open portion of the periphery of the shuttle body.

An advantageous way of inserting pieces of thread of predetermined length into the shuttles 18 of the described kind consists in pushing into the interior of each of the shuttles 18 a piece of thread in the form of a coil comprised of several turns, which coil is wound, for example, about a blade-shaped member. For this purpose, each shuttle 18, in the horizontal position shown in FIG. 1 or 2, is pushed downwards, at the zone where a coil is located over the horizontally disposed blade-shaped member; its sidewalls being in vertical positions. If the shuttle 18 is then drawn horizontally away from the blade-shaped member in the longitudinal direction of the member, then the plush linings or inserts 33 retain the coil of thread in the interior of the shuttle 18 in an orderly position.

During the continuous use of the shuttles 18 (when the loom is operating), individual fibers or other undesirable bits of material, e.g. dirt particles, can adhere to the bristles or plush of the linings 33, so that harmful contamination of the interior of the shuttles 18 occurs. Apparently, as the result of the method used for inserting the coils of thread into the shuttle, these fibers and particles of dirt collect mainly along the spine or closed edge portion 39.

In the cleaning arrangement of the present invention each of the shuttles 18 contains a slot 61 located near the closed edge portion 39. The slot 61 is located in the front sidewall 38' as shown in FIG. 2, and extends through the sidewall into the interior of the shuttle 18. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, a wiping device 40 is secured by means of an angle-type support 41 to the rail 25. As can be seen in FIG. 4, which shows a plan view of the wiping device 40 from above, the support 41 (a portion which is shown in'section) supports s resilient blade or arm 42. Fitted on the arm is a control cam 43 and a double-tipped wiper 44. The spring action of the arm 42 biases the cam 43 and the wiper 44 towards the return path of the shuttles 18. Relatively to the front sidewall of each of the shuttles 18, the wiper 44 is located a the level of the slot 61 and the cam 43 somewhat lower, e.g. roughly at the center point between the slots 30 and 61. In addition to the wiper 44 there is provided a suction nozzle 45 (shown in FIG. 1). In this embodiment, the suction noule extends upwards and serves to remove fibers or other particles that remain hanging from the wiper 44. The suction pipe 45 has not been shown in FIG. 4.

When the loom is operating, the shuttles 18 being returned to the loading mechanism are moved in succession to the right along the rail 25 by the drive pins 23 on the chain 27. During this movement the shuttles pass the point where the wiping device 40 is located. During this movement, each shuttle 18 first strikes the cam 43 with its front sidewall 38 so that the wiper 44 is moved away out of the path of the inserting elements. Upon further movement of the shuttle 18, the control cam 43 slides away again from the front wall 38 of the shuttle. By spacing the elements 43 and 44 at a suitable distance from each other, this sliding movement occurs when the wiper 44 is located at the righthand end of the slot 61. The wiper 44 thus drops into the slot 61 and due to the movement of the shuttle 18 the slot 61 is wiped and is thereby periodically cleaned. The particles of dirt, fibers and the like, which collect during operation of the loom along the spine 39 of the shuttle 18, are thus removed from the slot 61. Dirt and fibers that would otherwise remain in the shuttle are in this manner cleared away. The thread brake 36, through which are drawn the weft threads to be inserted in the shed, is also contaminated to a less extent. As already mentioned, the thread brake is formed between the inner surfaces of the two ends 36.

Various other cleaning means or arrangements may be used to carry out the wiping operation. In a further example of such an arrangement, the wiper is so positioned above the slide 20 (shown in FIG. 1), that the wiper moves into the right-hand end of the slot 61 at the moment at which the shuttle 18 is pushed by the slide 20 into its topmost position. If a pin 23 then strikes this shuttle and the shuttle is moved to the right, the slot 61 in the shuttle 18 is then wiped clean by the wiper.

A further form of construction for the cleaning means is described in reference to FIG. 5. In this embodiment, a support 41 secured to the rail 25 (FIG. 1) again carries a resilient blade or arm 42 biased to contact a shuttle. The shuttle 18 again has a slot 61 which constitutes the zone to be cleaned. Secured to the free end of the arm 42 is a wiper 46. This embodiment of the wiper has a control cam 47 and the two prongs 48. The control cam 47 and the two prongs 48 are positioned at the level of the slot 61.

When the shuttle 18 moves to the right during its return, it first strikes the cam 47. This causes the wiper 46 to be moved away out of the path of the shuttle 18, thereby overcoming the biasing force of the arm 42. As soon as the right-hand end of the slot 61 has reached the position at which the two prongs 48 are located, the wiper 46 drops into the slot 61 as a result of the resiliency of the arm 42, the slot being wiped clean by the prongs 48. In this form of construction, the cam 47 may have a rounded free end, and each of the prongs 48 can be provided with two curved tips, the vertical distance between which corresponds roughly with the width of the slot 61. FIG. 6 shows this arrangement of the tips in a side view of this embodiment. The level of the wiper may be accurately fixed by a guide means 49 also secured to the rail 25.

Finally, FIG. 7 shows yet another embodiment for cleaning the shuttles of a wave-type loom, in which construction the surfaces of the plush linings are subjected to periodic cleaning. FIG. 7 again shows a shuttle 18 which moves to the right in the rail 25. Shuttle 18 is identical to shuttle 18 with the exception that the slot 61 has been omitted. The drive pin 23, shown in FIG. 1, is replaced by a drive plate 50in this embodiment.

A cleaning finger 52 is mounted to rotate about the pin 51 and the pin 51 is firmly connected to the return rail 25. The cleaning finger 52 is thin so that it can move between the two carriers 32 and linings 33 (shown in FIG. 3) of the shuttles 18' (in the upward direction). A return spring 53 permanently urges the cleaning finger in the anticlockwise direction about the pin 51. The drive plate 50, which is moved by the roller chain 27 shown in FIG. 1, engages the tip of each of the shuttles 18. The pin 54 firmly connected to the cleaning finger 52, projects on both sides beyond the thickness of the cleaning finger 52, so that it comes into contact with the underside of each of the shuttles 18 during their movement past it. TIn this way pin 54 holds the finger 52 in the position illustrated and prevents it from turning in the clockwise direction. Also, the height of the drive plate 50 is so selected that, by pressing the control edge 55, 56, this plate causes the hook-shaped end of the cleaning finger 52 to bear against the inner surface of the closed edge portion or spine 39. In this way the finger 52 can be positioned in precisely predetermined positions. The return spring 53 urges the cleaning finger 52 upwards, so that it is constantly held in the correct arrest position and the finger 52 is caused to move into the shuttle 18 in a proper manner.

When, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the shuttle 18.

driven by the drive plate 50, moves from left to right, it is pushed against the cleaning finger 52. The edge 55 first slides between the linings 33, shown in FIG. 3, whereupon the cleaning finger 52 moves between the parts 34 and 36 of the carriers 32 as these parts are spread out from each other. The hook on the finger 52 also moves to the right-hand end of the interior of the shuttle adjacent to the closed end portion 39 and thereby wipes between the ends 36, which form the thread brake. In this phase of the cleaning operation, there arises the condition that, due to the pull on the element pivotable about the pi 51, these elements tend to swing in the clockwise direction about the pin 51. Since, however, the lower edges of the sidewalls of the shuttle are first positioned above the pin 54, this swinging movement of the cleaning finger 52 is prevented while the pin 54 is sliding along the underside of the shuttle 18'. When contact between the shuttle l8 and the pin 54 has almost ended, the drive plate 50 moves into contact with the control edge 55, 56 of the cleaning finger 52, so that the plate takes over the function of locking the finger S2 in position. The pin 54 and the plate 50, together with the control edge 55, 56, thus have the effect of always keeping the cleaning finger 52 at least close to the inner surface of the closed edge portion or spine 39 of the shuttle. The pin 54 is so positioned that the hook-shaped end of the finger can slide below the thickened portion or reinforcement 60 at the righthand end of the closed end portion 39. The control edge 55, 56 however provides for this end of the finger being thereafter lifted again to a slight extent.

In the arrangement shown in FIG. 7, the cleaning finger 52 must slide along the entire length of the inner surface of the closed end portion 39. To enable this to be done without difficulty, the hook of the cleaning finger has a rounded or curved shape.

As the cleaning finger 52 passes through the shuttle 18, fibers and the like are removed from the shuttle 18' and it is thus kept clean. These fibers can be removed from the finger 52 by means of a suction device fitted in the close vicinity of the finger. If required, the retaining capacity of the finger 52 can be increased by imparting a suitable surface condition or shape thereto. However, care must be taken not to damage the linings 33, when such linings are present in the interior of the shuttle, as in the embodiments of the shuttle illustrated.

Due to the continuous withdrawal of the weft threads 12 from the shuttle 18', and due to the shuttles 18' being drawn off a blade-shaped member during the heretofore described transfer of coils of weft thread from this member to the shuttles 18' the bristles or fibrous material of the linings 33 in time become directed to the rear of the shuttle. It is a further advantage of the cleaning method of this invention that the finger 52 causes these bristles to extend in the forward direction again. The service life of the bristles of the linings 33 is thus extended.

In a modification of the embodiment just described, the closed edge portion 39 of each of the shuttles 18, i.e. the zone at which the two sides of the shuttles are interconnected, extends only along the upper edge of the shuttle. Thus it is no longer necessary for the finger 52 to swing in the clockwise direction before leaving the shuttle 18' again. Moreover, the hook can be curved to a lesser extent. This results in improved cleaning of the interior of the shuttles.

It will be appreciated that the cleaning means shown in FIG. 7 can be advantageously combined with those illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4 or 5 and 6. In this combination, the shuttles 18' are also provided with a slot 61. During their travel the shuttles first pass a wiper or cleaning finger 52, as illustrated in FIG. 7, and then a wiper 44, as shown in FIG. 4, or a wiper 46, as in FIGS. 5 and 6. Herein, it is important to recognize the fact that the arm 52, shown in FIG. 7, shifts the debris dislodged in the cleaning operation at least into the vicinity of the inner surface of the closed edge portion 39, or as far as the upper, horizontal, portion thereof. Thereafter the debris is then moved along the slot 61 by means of the wiper 44 shown in FIG 4 or the wiper 46 illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. In such an arrangement it is not necessary to provide a hook at the end of the finger 52.

Again referring to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, it should be recognized that in a further embodiment, a suction or blower pipe can be used instead of the wipers or cleaning elements 44 and 46. When the slot 61 in each of the shuttles 18 is moved along the suction or blast orifice of this pipe, the threads or particles of dust are sucked up or blown away therefrom.

Still another embodiment of the present invention will be explained by reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. In order to illustrate the system clearly, the arrangement is shown on a larger scale in FIG. 9 than in FIG. 8. The grip-type shuttle 70, which is shot to-and-fro on the sley 76, is used for inserting the weft threads. In the drawing it is located in the at rest position at the right hand end of the path over which it travels for inserting the weft threads. The shuttle or weft-inserting element 70 has two grips or gripping means 71 and 72 for holding the weft threads to be inserted. When the shuttle 70 moves from left to right, it retains the weft thread by means of the grip 72. At the end of the path over which it moves, before or when the shuttle 70 is located in its right-hand end at rest position, illustrated in FIG. 8, the grip 72 is opened to release the thread. The same applies in the case of the grip 71 when the shuttle 70 moves from right to left. Accordingly, the grips 71 and 72 are of similar design. The following description limited to the grip 72 is therefore applicable to grip 71. The grip 72 comprises the two small plates 73 and 74. To retain the weft thread, the plate 74 is pressed against the plate 73 by being swung about the pin 7 The cleaning means for cleaning the grip 72 comprises an arm 77, carrying .a wiper 78 at this free end. The arm 77 is mounted to rotate on the spindle 79 and is biased in the clockwise direction by means of a left spring 80, so that the arm normally bears against the stop 82 via the roller 81 carried by the arm 77. The parts 79, and 82 are secured to a portion 83 of the frame of the loom. Inserted in and projecting from the roller 81 is a pin 84. The block 85, adjustable in the vertical direction, carries the hook 87, swingable about the pin 86. The book is biased in the anticlockwise direction by means of a spring. Also, the arm 88 can swing freely on the pin 86. It normally bears against the pin 89 which is inserted in the hook 87. Also, a thrust rod 90 is secured to the sley 76, this rod having a free end 91 which strikes the arm 88 during the reciprocatory movement of the sley.

When the loom is operating, the shuttle 70 is shot to and-fro along the sley. when the shuttle is located in its at rest positions at the end of its path, the two thread grips 71 and 72 are in the open positions, i.e. the small plates 73 and 74 are in the position seen in FIG. 9. Also, at this stage of operation, the sley 76 moves into its most advanced position, in which it is closest to the fixed portion of the frame of the loom designated by reference numeral 83. In this movement, the wiper 78 is pushed through or between the plates 73 and 74. Consequently, the arm 77 is pushed downwards at the point where the roller 81 is located. Due to its being biased, the hook 87 is moved over the pin 84 projecting from the roller 81. As a further consequence of this bias and due to the form of the hook 87, the pin 84, is depressed, overcoming the biasing action of the leaf spring 80. During the return movement of the sley 76 now taking place, i.e. during the movement of the sley 76 away from the frame 83, the wiper 78, now pressed against the plate 74, wipes this plate, so that bits of thread deposited thereon are removed. During the further movement of the sley 76, the end 91 of rod 90 finally strikes the arm 88, so that the arm, upon striking the pin 89, turns the hook 87 in the clockwise direction and lifts it from the pin 84. The arm 77 thus moves upwards again until this movement is brought to an end by the stop 82. When, during continuation of the weaving operation, the sley 76 again approaches the frame portion 83, the arm 88 can be caused to swing freely into the position 88 by the end 91. In this form of construction too, it is of advantage to provide a suction nozzle 92 for removing the bits of thread and the like that have been wiped away.

It will be readily seen from the foregoing that the cleaning element or wiper 78 can take the form of one or more pointed elements, or of a brush, or can be provided with a rough surface or the like.

A suction nozzle or blower nozzle can be provided instead of the wiper as a cleaning element. In a nozzle of this kind an elongate suction or blower slot would advantageously be provided and this would be positioned at the point where the edge 94 of the wiper 78 is located. In such an arrangement, the suction device 92 would be superfluous.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for cleaning a shuttle on a wave-type loom wherein the shuttle moves along a predetermined path on the loom for successively inserting individual weft threads into the sheds formed during the weaving operation, the shuttle has a elongated body with two sidewalls spaced from each other to provide an open interior in the shuttle and retaining means within the interior for holding a predetermined length of an individual weft thread within the interior and for releasing the thread during insertion in to a shed, and the interior of the shuttle is charged prior to each insertion with individual weft threads and then unloaded during movement along said path, which comprises cleaning means positioned at a selected location along the path of said shuttle for periodically cleaning an unloaded shuttle each time the unloaded shuttle is positioned adjacent to said location, said cleaning means cleaning debris from a preselected zone in the interior of the shuttle that tends to accumulate debris during the weaving operation.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the cleaning means includes a cleaning element in the form of a wiper that is insertable into the zone of the shuttle to be cleaned.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 in which said cleaning element is moved relative to the zone of the shuttle to be cleaned during cleaning thereof.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said cleaning means includes a cleaning element in the form of a suction or blower nozzle which is insertable into the zone of the shuttle to be cleaned.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, in which said shuttle has a conchoidal-shaped body, said body comprising two sidewalls disposed adjacent to each other and interconnected over a closed edge portion of said body and separate form each other over the remaining open portion of said body, a predetermined length of the individual weft thread being inserted into the interior of said shuttle and held by said retaining means prior to each weft-inserting movement, and the zone to be cleaned comprising at least a par of the interior of said shuttle.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 in which said cleaning means includes a cleaning element in the form of an armlike wiper positioned to move between the sidewalls into and out again of the interior of said shuttle through the open portion of said body.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, in which said armlike wiper, is provided with a hook at the end which extends into the interior of the shuttle.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 in which said retaining means includes a lining of bristles and one-half of a thread brake secured to the interior surface of each of said sidewalls and said armlike wiper is movable between said linings and the halves of said thread brake.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 in which a plurality of said shuttles simultaneously move one behind the other across the loom, the continuous insertion of individual weft threads being effected in the same direction and the shuttles each returning in a continuous manner along a return path outside of the sheds formed during the weaving operation said cleaning means being positioned at a point along the return path of the returning shuttles.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 in which said armlike wiper is connected to a stop member, is mounted with this stop member on a pin and is pivotable about said pin. each of said shuttles during their movement along said return path bearing against said stop member at the point where said cleaning means is positioned, said shuttles holding said stop member in a position such that the armlike wiper can move between the sidewalls into the interior of each of said shuttles.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 in which said armlike wiper is rigidly connected to a guide member having a guide curve and is mounted therewith on a pin whereby said member can pivot about said pin, drive members being provided to move the shuttles on their return path, said drive members bearing against the guide curve at a point where the cleaning means is positioned and holding the guide member in a position such that the armlike wiper moves between said sidewalls of each shuttle and into the interior thereof.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 in which said armlike wiper is mounted on a pin and is adaptable to pivot about said pin, and a resilient means is in biasing contact with said wiper to effect pivoting of the wiper into the interior of said shuttle.

13. The apparatus of claim 5 in which the zone of the shuttle to be cleaned includes a slot positioned adjacent to the closed edge portion of the shuttle body, said slot extending into the interior of said shuttle.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 in which said slot extends parallel to the path of the shuttle in said loom when said shuttle is passing the point at which the cleaning means is positioned and said cleaning means including a control means for causing a cleaning element to effect its cleaning function while said shuttle is passing said cleaning means.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 in which said control means comprises a resilient arm extending parallel to the path of the shuttle, a control cam secured to said resilient arm and said cleaning element also being secured to said resilient arm, said control cam and said cleaning element being continuously biased by the resilient arm so as to be moved into the path of the shuttle, the control cam together with the cleaning element being moved out of the path in a direction opposite to that of the bias by the control cam striking said shuttle, the position of the cam in relationship to the cleaning element being so selected that the shuttle does not strike the cam during movement of the slot past the cleaning element.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 in which the cleaning element comprises at least two hooks that are disposed in spaced relationship in the direction of the length or width of said cleaning slot.

17. A method of cleaning a shuttle on a wave-type loom wherein a shuttle moves along a path on the loom in order to successively insert individual weft threads into the sheds, the shuttle has an open interior and retaining means within the interior for holding a predetermined length of an individual weft thread within the interior and for releasing said thread during insertion into a shed, and the interior of the shuttle is charged prior to each insertion with individual weft threads and then unloaded along said path, which comprises periodically cleaning a preselected zone within the interior of an unloaded shuttle that tends to accumulate debris during the weaving operation each time the shuttle is positioned at a selected location along said path. 

1. An apparatus for cleaning a shuttle on a wave-type loom wherein the shuttle moves along a predetermined path on the loom for successively inserting individual weft threads into the sheds formed during the weaving operation, the shuttle has a elongated body with two sidewalls spaced from each other to provide an open interior in the shuttle and retaining means within the interior for holding a predetermined length of an individual weft thread within the interior and for releasing the thread during insertion in to a shed, and the interior of the shuttle is charged prior to each insertion with individual weft threads and then unloaded during movement along said Path, which comprises cleaning means positioned at a selected location along the path of said shuttle for periodically cleaning an unloaded shuttle each time the unloaded shuttle is positioned adjacent to said location, said cleaning means cleaning debris from a preselected zone in the interior of the shuttle that tends to accumulate debris during the weaving operation.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the cleaning means includes a cleaning element in the form of a wiper that is insertable into the zone of the shuttle to be cleaned.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 in which said cleaning element is moved relative to the zone of the shuttle to be cleaned during cleaning thereof.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said cleaning means includes a cleaning element in the form of a suction or blower nozzle which is insertable into the zone of the shuttle to be cleaned.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, in which said shuttle has a conchoidal-shaped body, said body comprising two sidewalls disposed adjacent to each other and interconnected over a closed edge portion of said body and separate form each other over the remaining open portion of said body, a predetermined length of the individual weft thread being inserted into the interior of said shuttle and held by said retaining means prior to each weft-inserting movement, and the zone to be cleaned comprising at least a par of the interior of said shuttle.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 in which said cleaning means includes a cleaning element in the form of an armlike wiper positioned to move between the sidewalls into and out again of the interior of said shuttle through the open portion of said body.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, in which said armlike wiper, is provided with a hook at the end which extends into the interior of the shuttle.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6 in which said retaining means includes a lining of bristles and one-half of a thread brake secured to the interior surface of each of said sidewalls and said armlike wiper is movable between said linings and the halves of said thread brake.
 9. The apparatus of claim 6 in which a plurality of said shuttles simultaneously move one behind the other across the loom, the continuous insertion of individual weft threads being effected in the same direction and the shuttles each returning in a continuous manner along a return path outside of the sheds formed during the weaving operation said cleaning means being positioned at a point along the return path of the returning shuttles.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 in which said armlike wiper is connected to a stop member, is mounted with this stop member on a pin and is pivotable about said pin, each of said shuttles during their movement along said return path bearing against said stop member at the point where said cleaning means is positioned, said shuttles holding said stop member in a position such that the armlike wiper can move between the sidewalls into the interior of each of said shuttles.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9 in which said armlike wiper is rigidly connected to a guide member having a guide curve and is mounted therewith on a pin whereby said member can pivot about said pin, drive members being provided to move the shuttles on their return path, said drive members bearing against the guide curve at a point where the cleaning means is positioned and holding the guide member in a position such that the armlike wiper moves between said sidewalls of each shuttle and into the interior thereof.
 12. The apparatus of claim 9 in which said armlike wiper is mounted on a pin and is adaptable to pivot about said pin, and a resilient means is in biasing contact with said wiper to effect pivoting of the wiper into the interior of said shuttle.
 13. The apparatus of claim 5 in which the zone of the shuttle to be cleaned includes a slot positioned adjacent to the closed edge portion of the shuttle body, said slot extending into the interior of said shuttle.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 iN which said slot extends parallel to the path of the shuttle in said loom when said shuttle is passing the point at which the cleaning means is positioned and said cleaning means including a control means for causing a cleaning element to effect its cleaning function while said shuttle is passing said cleaning means.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 in which said control means comprises a resilient arm extending parallel to the path of the shuttle, a control cam secured to said resilient arm and said cleaning element also being secured to said resilient arm, said control cam and said cleaning element being continuously biased by the resilient arm so as to be moved into the path of the shuttle, the control cam together with the cleaning element being moved out of the path in a direction opposite to that of the bias by the control cam striking said shuttle, the position of the cam in relationship to the cleaning element being so selected that the shuttle does not strike the cam during movement of the slot past the cleaning element.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 in which the cleaning element comprises at least two hooks that are disposed in spaced relationship in the direction of the length or width of said cleaning slot.
 17. A method of cleaning a shuttle on a wave-type loom wherein a shuttle moves along a path on the loom in order to successively insert individual weft threads into the sheds, the shuttle has an open interior and retaining means within the interior for holding a predetermined length of an individual weft thread within the interior and for releasing said thread during insertion into a shed, and the interior of the shuttle is charged prior to each insertion with individual weft threads and then unloaded along said path, which comprises periodically cleaning a preselected zone within the interior of an unloaded shuttle that tends to accumulate debris during the weaving operation each time the shuttle is positioned at a selected location along said path. 